Concrete vibrator tool



July 3, 1962 A. wYzr-:NBEEK 3,042,386

CONCRETE VIBRATOR TOOL Filed sept. 2e. 1960 Z; Z4 Z 52 505] ZJ ZQ Zz d mf L..

3,042,386 CONCRETE VIBRATGR TUOL Andrew Wyzenheek, 850 Lake Shore Drive,Chicago, ill. Filed Sept. 26, 1960, Ser. No. 58,352 4 Claims. (Cl.259-1) This invention relates to a concrete vibrator tool, and, moreparticularly, to the vibrator head housing portion of the tool which isthe element thereof physically in contact with the cementitious materialto be compacted.

The usual vibrator head includes an elongated tubular housing in whichan eccentric rotor is mounted. The rotor may be powered from one endthrough a flexible cable coupled to a motor which conventionally is`carried by the masonry worker. Alternatively, the motor may beincorporated in the head itself and, in certain instances, provide avibratory action itself. ln use, the vibrator head is thrust into thefluid mix, the mix being supported within temporary forms. The functionof the vibrator is to insure uniform dispersion of the mix within theform.

In the past, there has been a limited effectiveness of vibrators inachieving the principal purposes of uniformizing the cementitious mixwithin the forms. lt has been especially diicult to drive the concreteinto the corners of the form to develop the desirable monolithic faceson concrete columns, beams, etc. Also it has been diflicult tosubstantially remove air from the mix, the presence of which isevidenced by a non-level top surface. In the past, the achievement of asubstantial uniformity has not only required prolonged times oftreatment, but also required artistry on the part of the masonry Worker.Thus, the art has been handicapped in large installations wherevibrators are particularly effective-the time consumed isdisadvantageous and the human element varies so that often the desirablesharp corners are lacking, resulting in an indiiferent form and one thatmay require special plastering after the concrete has set.

Itis an object of this invention to provide a novel type of vibratortool characterized by an efficiency which is `materially greater thanthat present in contemporary vibrators. Another object is to provide anovel vibrator tool, particularly the tubular housing portion thereof,which is characterized by a departure from the usually provided smooth,Cylindrically surfaced housing and instead uses a housing having anexternal surface contoured to develop a unique pushing action incompacting concrete. Still another object is to provide a tubularhousing for a vibrator tool in which the external surfaces approximatesthat of a prism, i.e., the transverse section is essentially polygonal.Yet another object is to provide a novel type vibrator wherein both thehousing and tip are uniquely contoured so as to provide a superiorcompacting of concrete and like mixes.

Other objects and advantages of this invention may be seen in thedetails of Construction and operation as set down in this specication.

The invention will be explained in conjunction with an illustrativeembodiment in the accompanying drawing, in which- FIG. l is aperspective view of a vibrator being used in compacting concrete;`

FIG. 2 is an exploded elevational sectional view of the vibrator headwith one end of the housing portion in partial section;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional View of the vibrator head seen inFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional View through the housing portion of thevibrator head seen in FIGS. 2 and 3; and

FIG. 5 is a View similar to FIG. 4 but showing a housing of a differentcross-sectional configuration, i.e., quadrilateral, as contrasted tohexagonal.

In the illustration given, and with particular reference to FIG. l, thenumeral 10 designates a concrete form in which concrete 11 has beenpoured. A masonry worker 12 is seen holding the vibrator tool 13, whichincludes a motor 14 and exible shaft 15. The Vibrator head generallydesignated 16 is inserted into the concrete 11 and thus, in FIG. l, isshown in dotted outline. The forward portion of the vibrator head can beseen in greater detail in FIG. 3.

In FIG. 3, it is seen that the head 16 includes an outer housing of agenerally tubular shape and which is designated 17. The end of the head16 remote from the flexible cable or other power source is equipped witha tip 18 which may partake of the character seen in my Patent No.2,705,618, issued April 5, 1955. However, excellent results are obtainedwith a type of the character shown, wherein the tip 18 is welded to thehousing 17 as at 18a. The end of the head 16 adjacent the ilexible cableor shaft 15 is equipped with removable cap 19. The cap 19 maybeconveniently mounted on the housing 17 by means of threaded portions20 and 19a, thus the exterior of the head 16 includes the surfacesprovided by the elements 17-19. The cap 19 is interiorly equipped withan oil seal 21. The cap 19 is also equipped with a hexagon drive sleeve22 which is adapted to be coupled to the exible shaft 15. Morespecifically, the hexagon drive sleeve is threadedly connected to theeccentric rotor 23 as on the threaded end 24. The rotor 23 is equippedwith a shoulder portion 2S which is journaled in a bearing 26.

The tip end of the eccentric rotor 23 is equipped with a similarshoulder portion 27 which is journaled in a bearing 2S (see FIG. 3) andthe tip end of the rotor 23 is equipped with a threaded portion 29 whichcarries a lock nut 30. A washer 31 is interposed between the nut 30 andthe bearing 27. A washer 32 is interposed between the oil seal 21 andthe bearin g 26.

In accordance with conventional practice, the operation of the tool isachieved through coupling the hexagon drive sleeve to a rotatingiiexible shaft 15. The drive sleeve 22 being directly coupled to therotor 24, rotor 23 induces rotation of the rotor 23 within the bearings26 and 28. The entire internal assembly, shown in exploded form in FIG.2, can be removed from the head 16 by rst detaching the cap 19 from thehousing 17. The tip end bearing 28 is effectively secured to the rotor23 by means of the lock nut 30 so the tip end bearing can be readilyremoved for replacement, repair, or the like. As seen in FIG. 3, thebearing 28 is supported against a projection 18h of the tip 18.

Reference to FIG. 4 shows that the housing 17 is hexagonal in transversesection. Alternatively, the cross-sectional shape seen in FIG. 5 (squareor quadrilateral) and designated by the numeral 117 may be usefullyemployed. Desirably, the interior contour is similar, and Where thedriving motor is installed in the casing, this providescircumferentially disposed passages for air cooling of thecylindrically-shaped motor.

Comparison of the operation of a tool equipped with the prism-shapedhousing as contrasted to a tool equipped with a cylindrical1y-shapedhousing of about the same external surface area, revealed that underidentical conditions of operation, almost complete compacting (i.e.,elimination of air pockets and directing the mix thoroughly into allcorners) was achieved in fteen seconds with the inventive tool, while avery imperfect compaction was achieved through the conventional tool,and this even when operated for twenty-six seconds. In both instances,

being inserted into the center of the test block under identicalconditions in each case.

Additional advantageous operation can be achieved when the tip 18 isat-surfaced, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the surfacing of the tipcorresponding to the surfacing of the housing 17. It will be appreciatedthat other crosssectional contours may suggest themselves to thoseskilled in the art, depending upon the intended use of lthe tool.

Although the mechanism of the invention is not readily visible from theoperation of the novel head, it is believed that the gyratory-typemotion induced in the head 16 results in developing a uniquemulti-directional thrust on the concrete-the number of thrusts perrevolution being one more than the number of faces on the housing 17.Thus, a five-sided thrust pattern is produced using a square-shaped tip.This induces rapid and thorough compacting, eliminating the need for themasonry work to make successive probes at different spots and thereafterpatch up the resultant form.

While, in the foregoing specification, I have set forth a detaileddescription of an embodiment of the invention for the purpose ofillustration thereof, many variations in the details herein given may bemade by those skilled in the art Without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a vibrator for compacting concrete, and the like, an elongatedhollow housing, a bearing adjacent each end of said housing, aneccentric rotor rotatably mounted in said bearings, said housing havinga shape in transverse section intermediate the ends of said housing of aregular polygon of not more than six sides.

2. The structure of claim l in which said regular polygon has foursides.

3. A vibrator housing, comprising an elongated tube, said tube beinghollow and having means for mounting bearings adjacent each end thereofand adapted to receive means for vibrating Said housing, one end of saidtube being equipped with means for coupling to power means, a transversesection through said tube intermediate the ends thereof forming aregular polygon of not more than six sides.

4. The structure of claim 3 in which said regular polygon has foursides.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,947,941 Jackson Feb. 20, 1934 2,705,618 Wyzenbeck Apr. 5, 19552,808,238 Spitler Oct. 1, 1957 2,825,230 Walker Mar. 4, 1958 2,924,730Spitler Feb. 9, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 393,668 Germany Apr. 5, 1924777,120 France Nov. 17, 1934

